The Tennessee Williams Home Reopens in Columbus: A New Chapter Begins
Columbus is buzzing with excitement as the Tennessee Williams Home and Welcome Center prepares to welcome back visitors after more than six months of renovations. The grand reopening promises to be a delightful affair, kicking off with a warm reception that invites guests from all over the state to join in the celebrations.
A Beautiful Day Awaits
Attendees can look forward to the delightful sounds of the Golden Triangle Singers, who will perform part of their upcoming concert. “After the initial reception, we’ll invite everyone inside for refreshments and guided tours. It really will be a wonderful experience for everyone.”
A Journey Through Renovations
The home has been closed for extensive renovations aimed at addressing both the exterior wood and interior plaster. However, as often happens with older buildings, the project grew larger than initially anticipated. Upon further inspection, engineers discovered signs of rotting sills that required immediate attention. “They actually elevated the house at four different points between four and six inches,” detailing the meticulous work that has been carried out. “Now we feel very good about it; it will certainly outlive most of the people at the reopening.”
This unexpected expansion in the project sent costs soaring from an estimated $195,000 to over $300,000. Fortunately, the financial burden has been somewhat alleviated thanks to grants from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History and the Mississippi Hills Heritage Area, covering approximately $265,000 of the costs, along with an additional $54,000 from the city.
What’s Next for the Welcome Center?
Once it reopens, the Tennessee Williams Home and Welcome Center will maintain regular hours, welcoming guests from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. The center will employ three part-time staff members, ensuring that visitors have a warm and knowledgeable experience during their visit.
Originally, the Mississippi Department of Transportation donated the home to the city, establishing the Cultural Heritage Foundation as the building’s owner. Over the years, this relationship provided a steady stream of funding needed for the center’s upkeep. However, recent developments have left the future of funding quite uncertain.
Funding Challenges Ahead
An unexpected rift arose when the Mississippi Ethics Commission mandated the foundation to establish a separate board from the city’s tourism and marketing division. This led to a surprise rejection of a funding contract. “We offered them a contract for $81,000 for this fiscal year with some conditions, but they rejected it without explanation or any type of counter proposal,” shared the attorney for the CVB Board.
The chair for the CCHF board expressed concerns over funding and noted that there are no publicly named ongoing funding sources. “We’re continuing to work on funding. I don’t have any information in detail I can give… but I feel sure that we’re going to be okay,” emphasizing hope for the future.
A Bright Future?
Despite the looming uncertainty surrounding funding, there is a focus on celebrating the completion of renovations and the upcoming reopening. As efforts continue to secure new funding sources, optimism remains high. “We are in the process of making a lot of determinations, but right now we’re just trying to get that restoration completed.”
As Columbus gears up for this fresh chapter in the life of the Tennessee Williams home, the community is left wondering what the future might hold for this beloved site. The reopening, marked by the warm and inviting atmosphere, is sure to make an impact and hopefully pave the way for continued support moving forward.
